After scoring the game’s first basket, Mazama did not lead again until less than 30 seconds remaining in the third quarter, with the Vikings holding on to defeat Klamath Union 56-44 Saturday night at Pelican Court.

The win propels Mazama to the No. 3 seed from the Skyline into the state play-in round late next week. The Vikings are projected to face South Umpqua (16-7, 7-3 conf.), the No. 2 finisher from the Far West.

Klamath Union will now have to travel farther against a tougher opponent, facing North Bend (21-2, 10-0), which has won 17 straight games.

The Pelicans hosted Saturday’s game against Mazama thanks to its 59-48 win in last Saturday’s seeding game with the Vikings at Henley High School. According to Mazama statistician Dan Fast, the two teams had never met six times in a season prior to this game. Mazama evened the season series at 3-3, with Saturday’s final being the first time the victor won by double digits.

Trailing 25-16 with under four minutes remaining in the third, seniors Zac Hall and Kevin Wynne led a Mazama comeback with the Vikings scoring the next 15 points to lead 31-15 entering the final period.

Hall and Wynne combined for 35 of Mazama’s points in the game, with Hall scoring four and Wynne five points to end the third quarter. KU only had 10 turnovers in the game, five of which came in the final 4:30 of that period.

Alex Stork led Klamath Union with a double-double, 15 points and 13 rebounds. KU shot 14-for-43, making only one three-pointer in 14 tries.

The OSAA rankings, which determine official state playoffs seeding, freeze on Tuesday. The play-in games are expected to be Friday.

Program note: Former Henley graduate and OSAA employee Kyle Stanfield is expected to join Monday’s Goofing Around at Lunch to talk about the postseason and rankings (12:00 PM – 960 the Sports Legend)

North Valley beat Phoenix 73-62, ensuring the Knights get the Skyline’s No. 1 seed and Phoenix is No. 2. Even the Henley boys have an outside chance to make the playoffs, as the Hornets are eligible for four at-large bids. Friday’s 66-65 win by No. 27 Estacada over Gladstone hurt Henley’s chances however.

Twice Phoenix came back from deficits to take the lead, but Klamath Union overcame the Pirates final attack, winning 47-40 and claiming the Skyline’s No. 3 seed into the state play-in games.

Klamath Union is projected to play at Brookings-Harbor (15-7, 6-4 Far West) next week for the state play-in game. Brookings-Harbor bounced KU from the postseason last year.

Meanwhile, Phoenix is expected to play at No. 2 Sutherlin, which has won all 24 of its games this season.

The Pelicans 8-2 first quarter lead evaporated in the final 4:30 of the quarter, as Phoenix scored nine of the next 11 points, leading 11-10 after one quarter.

After KU built a 22-14 advantage at halftime, Phoenix cut away to lead 31-30 by the end of the third quarter.

In the fourth period, Klamath Union built a 43-36 lead, despite missing three consecutive free throws to start bonus attempts, giving Phoenix a chance late. The Pirates were never able to get closer than seven points again, losing the game.

After coming into the tournament as the only team to beat Rogue Valley Adventist in conference play, Triad did it again in the Mountain Valley League playoffs Saturday at Danny Miles Court, prevailing in the championship game 51-42.

Triad gets the MVL’s No. 1 seed in the OSAA State Championships which begin Wednesday. The Timberwolves get a bye before playing Feb. 25 against the Lowell/Umpqua Valley Christian winner.

RVA will host the Powers Wednesday.

After losing to Triad Friday, Hosanna Christian’s boys beat Paisley 40-29 to enter the postseason as the No. 3 seed, playing at Dayville/Monument on Wednesday.

Hosanna Christian’s girls won the girls championship, beating Paisley 51-27. The Lions will host either Alsea or Elkton Feb. 25, with the winner advancing to the OSAA 1A Basketball State Championships in Baker City Feb. 29 – Mar. 3.